The Jewish Historical Society of Staten Island sees as its mission to preserve the unique history of the Jewish Community of Staten Island, to make people aware of that history and of the contribution of the Jewish community to the entire Staten Island community as well as promoting knowledge and awareness of the length and breadth of Jewish history. Staten Island, like all communities is constantly changing. The story of past generations of the Island's Jewish community will be irretrievably lost unless we make a concerted effort to preserve it. At present, when memories of the period of mass immigration and the life in the "old country" which preceded it are fast fading many people are looking to the history of the Jewish communities in which they are living for a sense of rootedness and continuity, this work is all the more important.